Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Morild Pty Ltd [2017] FCA 1308

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Morild Pty Ltd [2017] FCA 1308 File number: WAD 436 of 2016

Judge: MCKERRACHER J

Date of judgment: 10 November 2017

Catchwords: CONSUMER LAW – contraventions of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) and Competition and Consumer (Industry Codes – Franchising) Regulation 2014 (Cth) (Franchising Code) – breaches of cl 8(1) and cl 9(1) of the Franchising Code for failing to create a complying disclosure document and for the distribution of that non complying disclosure document – where contraventions admitted – where parties agree that the insolvency of two predecessor franchisors was "relevant business experience" which pursuant to the Franchising Code must be disclosed – principles applicable to imposition of a pecuniary penalty, declarations and injunctive relief – appropriateness of agreed orders and declarations

Legislation: Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) ss 51ACB , 75B(1)(c), 76, 76(1)(a)(iv), 76(1)(e), 76(1A)(ca), 76(1B)(aaa), 80, 80(1)(a)(ii), 80(1)(e), 80(5), 155, 155(1) Evidence Act 1995 (Cth) s 191 Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) s 21 Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) s 80 Competition and Consumer (Industry Codes - Franchising) Regulation 2014 (Cth) Sch 1, cll 8(1), 9(1)

Cases cited: Australian Communications and Media Authority v FHT Travel Pty Ltd [2011] FCA 550 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Acquire Learning & Careers Pty Ltd [2017] FCA 602 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited (2016) 118 ACSR 124 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Breast Check Pty Ltd (No 2) [2014] FCA 1068 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Coles Supermarkets Australia Pty Ltd (2015) 327 ALR 540 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Dataline.Net.Au Pty Ltd (2006) 236 ALR 665 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Dataline.Net.Au Pty Ltd (2007) 161 FCR 513 Australian Competition & Consumer Commission v Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union [2007] ATPR 42-140 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Hillside (Australia New Media) Pty Ltd trading as Bet365 (No 2) [2016] FCA 698 Australian Competition & Consumer Commission v Leahy Petroleum Pty Ltd (No 3) (2005) 215 ALR 301 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Mailpost Australia Ltd [2010] FCA 369 Australian Competition & Consumer Commission v Midland Brick Co Pty Ltd (2004) 207 ALR 329 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v MSY Technology Pty Ltd (2012) 201 FCR 378 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Real Estate Institute of Western Australia Inc (1999) 161 ALR 79 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Reckitt Benckiser (Australia) Pty Ltd (2016) 340 ALR 25 Australian Competition & Consumer Commission v Sampson [2011] ATPR 42-374 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Snowdale Holdings Pty Ltd (No 2) [2017] FCA 834 Australian Competition & Consumer Commission v Target Australia Pty Ltd (2001) ATPR 41-840 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Telstra Corporation Limited (2010) 188 FCR 238 Australian Competition & Consumer Commission v Virgin Mobile Australia Pty Ltd (No 2) [2002] FCA 1548 Australian Ophthalmic Supplies Pty Ltd v McAlary-Smith (2008) 165 FCR 560 BMW Australia Ltd v Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (2004) 207 ALR 452 Commonwealth v Director, Fair Work Building Industry Inspectorate (2015) 258 CLR 482 Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union v Cahill (2010) 269 ALR 1 Forster v Jododex (1972) 127 CLR 421 Foster v Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (2006) 149 FCR 135 ICI Australia Operations Pty Ltd v Trade Practices Commission (1992) 38 FCR 248 Markarian v The Queen (2005) 228 CLR 357 NW Frozen Foods Pty Ltd v Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (1996) 71 FCR 285 OD Transport Pty Ltd v Western Australian Government Railways Commission (1987) 13 FCR 500 Rural Press Ltd v Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (2003) 216 CLR 53 Singtel Optus Pty Ltd v Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (2012) 287 ALR 249 Thomson Australian Holdings Pty Ltd v Trade Practices Commission (1981) 148 CLR 150 TPG Internet Pty Ltd v Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (2012) 210 FCR 277 Trade Practices Commission v Allied Mills Industries Pty Ltd (1981) 60 FLR 38